No. Most patients can be effectively treated with physical therapy and other non-operative modalities; other patients may require surgery.

Visiting a total care orthopaedic facility provides you with an unparalleled continuum of care from diagnostic testing and treatment to physical therapy and rehabilitation. Our Center also offers you the expertise of a large group of talented specialized orthopaedic surgeons and a variety of on-site services that most orthopaedic practices cannot. At our on-site physical therapy and rehabilitation facility, for example, our staff of highly trained physical therapists provides a multitude of specialized services including individual rehabilitation programs, back school instruction, continuing education classes on shoulder and spinal mobilization, hand and aquatic therapy, and custom splinting and bracing. Physical therapy is sometimes used as a treatment in and of itself. It also plays a vital role post surgery, to ensure that each patient gains maximum flexibility and strength. At the Orthopaedic Center, we evaluate each patient individually and recommend the course of action that would most quickly and effectively allow you to enjoy immediate and long-term pain free activity.

While uncommon, complications can occur during and after surgery. Complications include, but are not limited to infection, blood clots, implant breakage, mal-alignment, and premature wear, any of which can require additional surgery. Infection and blood clots are two of the complications that concern surgeons the most. To avoid these complications, surgeons may take various measures, including prescribing antibiotics and blood thinners before and after surgery. Although implant surgery is extremely successful in most cases, some patients still experience pain and stiffness. Factors such as the patient’s post-surgical activities and weight can affect longevity. Be sure to discuss these and other risks with your surgeon.

Your doctors will decide if you are a good candidate for this surgery. Their decision will be based on your medical history, exam and X-rays. Your doctors will ask you to decide if your discomfort, stiffness and disability justify undergoing surgery. There is no harm in waiting to have surgery if conservative, non-operative methods can adequately control your discomfort.

Age is generally not a problem if you are in reasonably good health and have the desire to continue living a productive, active life. You should see your personal physician for an opinion about your general health and readiness for surgery.

In the past, a patient could typically expect to stay anywhere from 3–7 days, followed by six weeks or more of difficult therapy before returning to normal activities. With minimally-invasive surgery, some surgeons are finding that patients can be discharged in as few as one to two days, with significantly faster return to normal activities and less post-operative pain.

No injury or disorder exists in isolation. Your bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and nerves, for example, all work together to allow you to walk, sit, bend down to pick up an object off the floor, and so on. Because of the complex nature of many diseases and injuries, more than one specialist is often required to correctly diagnose and treat a condition as effectively as possible. No. Most patients can be effectively treated with physical therapy and other non-operative modalities; other patients may require surgery.